La Ceiba

La Ceiba, also known as the "capital of ecotourism" or "the bride of Honduras," draws visitors to a festive environment surrounded by nature. Although the city was founded in 1877, its development is the result of banana activity in the twentieth century, as a port city for the export of bananas to North America.

Nowadays, you can enjoy the restored old dock and a boardwalk called Paseo de los Ceibeos, as well as Swinford Park, which is located in Mazapán, in the city center, and was formerly the banana company's offices, where railway machines are displayed in the middle of a garden. The city also has a Butterfly Museum, which houses a collection of over 19,300 butterflies and insects from Honduras and 140 other countries.

Pico Bonito is Honduras' largest park, with a high biodiversity of wildlife species including the jaguar, ocelot, monkey, tepezcuinte, coat, toucan, parrot, tapir, quetzal, iguana, and wild pig, some of which are endangered. Mahogany, cedar, round, granadillo, rosita, san juan, areno, laurel, and marapolán are among the emblematic flora species. Hiking and other ecotourism activities include bird watching and skirting the park down the Cangrejal River, which slides between imposing rocks formed by the geological formation of this beautiful country; when practicing category 5 rafting, rapids form that capture the hearts of adrenaline junkies.

Boat or panga tours through the canals at Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge will be accompanied by the bustle of howler monkeys, white faced monkeys, crocodiles, turtles, wild ducks, water cock, and possibly some manatees. The Laguna del Cacao, another charming spot where the sky kisses the vegetation, is ideal for kayaking. Then unwind in the hot springs before heading out for a night on the town.

Location: the Caribbean, Honduras

Best time to visit: January, February, March, April and December